FRANKFORT, Ky. — Today, Gov. Andy Beshear remembered 14 “selfless heroes” who died in the line of duty, as their names were added to the Kentucky Fallen Firefighters Memorial at Juniper Hill Park.
“As we add these names and reflect on this day, we must always remember these names represent real people, real Kentuckians, who meant so much to their loved ones, to their friends, to their communities,” said Beshear. “My faith tells me that these are all irreplaceable children of God. Let us be inspired by their lives as we move through our days and remember to live for one another in times of crisis and times of calm.”
Beshear joined Kentucky Professional Fire Fighters, the Kentucky Firefighters Association, the Kentucky Association of Fire Chiefs, the Kentucky Fire Commission, Franklin County Judge/Executive Huston Wells, Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson, the Franklin County Fire Department and the Frankfort Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department for the 20th Annual Kentucky Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service.
The ceremony celebrated the lives and legacies of:
- Barbara Bordenkircher, Wickliffe Rural Fire Department;
- Dale Brown, Covington Fire Department;
- Gerald Cox, Priceville Fire Department;
- Virgil Craven, Fulton Fire Department;
- Walter Gay, Berea Fire Department;
- Arthur Henley, New Haven Fire Department;
- Ronald Ingram, Woodford County Fire Department;
- Jonathan Jacobs, Georgetown Fire Department;
- Johnnie Jessie, Greensburg-Green County Fire Department;
- Charles Keller, Louisville Fire Department;
- John Martin, Louisville Fire Department;
- James McKenzie, Pikeville Fire Department;
- Curley Moore, Left Beaver Fire Department; and
- Charles Wilburn, Kentucky Division of Forestry.
“The Kentucky Professional Fire Fighters express our sincerest gratitude to Gov. Beshear for attending this solemn ceremony to recognize those in our profession who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Joe Baer, president of Kentucky Professional Fire Fighters.
“There are no more essential workers than our first responders: Those who run into a burning building; those who get up every morning, put on their uniforms and leave the safety of their homes and families willing to risk their lives for others,” said Beshear. “And while we’ve come to expect this of our firefighters, this is the kind of work that takes a heavy toll even in the best of times. It’s important that you know I and my administration are supporting the crucial work Kentucky’s firefighters do in communities across the commonwealth every day.”